Dental Assistant - Dental Sterilization

Job Description

The UW School of Dentistry (UWSOD) invites a qualified dental assistant to serve as a Dental Assistant 2 (DA2) under the direct supervision of the Dental Clinic Supervisor 1. The role requires a professional, customer‑service‑oriented interaction with students, faculty, and patients, and active participation in training programs such as health and safety, HIPAA, FERPA, BBP, and additional Relias courses.

• Conduct the complete sterilization cycle for all school clinics—debride, perform quality checks, replace instruments, wrap and sterilize items per protocol.
• Use scanning software to monitor distribution and flow of instruments, hand pieces, and other patient‑care items to ensure strict infection control.
• Operate autoclaves, washers, and other sterilization equipment; perform biological testing.
• Maintain logs for hand pieces, cassettes, burs, impression trays, and spore testing; report discrepancies to the Manager.
• Store sterile and disinfected set‑ups ready for clinic delivery.
• Coordinate instrument delivery to clinics using ordering software.
• Perform basic calculations related to sterilizer functions and inventory control.
• Inspect, assemble, package, label, and date instruments and cassettes.
• Enter inventory data via computer terminal or manual method.
• Place component orders as needed.
• Keep all areas clean, orderly, and neat.
• Carry out related duties as assigned.

• Work with student providers throughout critical stages of patient care, prioritizing workflow and coaching students in patient management.
• Serve the supervising licensed dentist to ensure quality patient care.
• Float to other clinic areas—sterilization, dispensaries, clerkships—when required.
• Perform chairside four‑handed dentistry with dental students in the Student Teaching clinics.
• Prepare materials—impression material, composite, bonding agents, disposables—needed for patient care.
• Execute expanded functions: take impressions for study models; place and remove rubber dam, matrix, and wedges; expose radiographs; perform coronal polish; chart clinical findings; other delegable duties per law.
• Operate digitally for routine and complex radiographs: periapical, bitewing, panoramic, occlusal, lateral, and cone‑beam CT scans.
• Aid dental students, residents, and faculty with four‑handed dentistry and routine chair‑side duties.
• Clean and prepare treatment areas following school infection‑control protocols.
• Perform inventories and stock supplies.
• Monitor instruments for breakage and wear; assess replacement needs.
• Suggest process improvements to leadership.
• Participate in student clinic orientations and related classroom activities; assist in training new staff.
• Execute related dental‑assistant duties as assigned.

• Use scanning software to check equipment in/out—cameras, cavitrons, light‑cure units, nitrous tanks, etc.
• Monitor daily reports of student‑checked‑out items; email students with delinquent items.
• Manage daily stocking of dispensary supplies, clinic supply bins, disposables, and barrier control items.
• Dispense anesthetic, antibiotics, fluoride, and materials per UWSOD policy and protocol.
• Collect, scan, and bag soiled items for sterilization.
• Collect receivable orders from Central Purchasing and distribute items.
• Reconcile monthly statements from Central Purchasing.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

• Completion of an accredited dental‑assistant training program and current certification (CDA) or the ability to obtain certification within six months.
• Two years of experience as a dental assistant; one year may substitute for the education requirement.

• Registration with the State of Washington as a Dental Assistant.

Pay Range
Minimum: $45,060.00 annual
Maximum: $60,672.00 annual

Benefits information is available at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Shift: First Shift (United States of America)
Term:
Regular full‑time (100.00% FTE)
Union: SEIU Local 925 Nonsupervisory

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming community for all. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

Applicants must disclose any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at present or past employment, as required by Washington state law.